It has been real easy this week for good sports stories, items with some element of athletic competition, to get lost in the fog of scandal (real or imagined).

On a side note, when you first heard the still (and probably forever) baffling news about Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o and his imaginary girlfriend, did you think of that episode of "Seinfeld" in which Elaine made up a nonexistent co-worker, Susie?

They even had a funeral for this figment of Elaine's imagination, complete with eulogies and people speaking about things they had done with her. Sort of like folks around Te'o who said they had met his girlfriend.

As I always say, very few things in life can't be traced back somehow to a "Seinfeld" episode.

Anyway, see how easy it was to get swept up in the absurdity that is Te'o and a certain cyclist who will go unnamed?

Back in the actual sports arena, a noteworthy midweek occasion that got no attention (the West Virginia vs. Iowa State highlights got as much notice) was LeBron James becoming the youngest man to ever reach 20,000 points.

Big deal, you say?

Well, no, it's not the grandest moment ever in the history of pro basketball, but it certainly is worthy of a moment or two of discussion.

When we watch LeBron play, we could be seeing the greatest player to ever lace up a pair of Nikes. Yes, Michael Jordan currently occupies that mythical perch, and until LeBron adds a string of NBA championships to his resume that is unlikely to change. But truth be told, LeBron does things on a basketball court that even the great MJ couldn't.

For example:

LeBron is a better rebounder.

He is better driving to the hoop with power.

He is at least as good a passer. (MJ was never real big about this part of the game.)

He can play any of the five positions defensively (which

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Jordan couldn't).

He is a dynamic scorer on a par with Jordan, if not slightly more versatile.

That's a pretty good start when comparing talents from different generations. Jordan has LeBron at this point in total shooting ability, and he was a far more consistent foul shooter, but it's foolish to dismiss out of hand the idea that LeBron is the all-around superior player.

Sure, that NBA titles thing is a factor, but Wilt Chamberlain typically ranks ahead of Bill Russell when all-time lists are drawn up, and we know where they stand ring-wise.

The point here is that it's way too easy to get caught up in the latest saga-du-jour, missing or overlooking the kind of sports story that should be catching our attention. Just this week you had ageless Roger Federer whacking a tennis ball with authority in Australia; LeBron doing his thing here and Louisville showing fans near and far that it just might be the best college team in the land.

Oh, yeah, we get the return of sticks and pucks Saturday in what should be a great run to the Cup in a season that is probably starting when most should.

These good sports stories are out there, we just need to keep looking for them.

Let Lance dance on Oprah's couch and let Notre Dame wonder how it (whatever it is) all happened. We'll keep our eyes on the men and women achieving things in the athletic realm that should, and most often do, boggle the mind.

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